Clutch



Patented Apr. 7, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

IRVING C. WOODWARD, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

CLUTCH.

Application filed September 21, 1923. Serial No. 663,988.

To all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that I, IRvING C. WOOD- WARD, a citizen ofv the UnitedStates of America, and a resident of Syracuse, county of Onondaga, andState of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inClutches, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to clutches or couplings. V

The main objects of this invention are to -provide an improved form ofclutch for normally resisting relative turning between two rotatingmembers, wherein the resistance is obtained through the forced change inrelative distortion of a resilient part; to provide improved means forpositively oonnecting the resilient part with one of the rotatablemembers irrespective of the distortion of said part; and to provide aclutch of this kind having an improved arrangement of the resilient partand the other of said rotatable members whereby the change in distortionof said resilient part will be effected through a relative rotation ofsaid members.

Illustrative embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanyingdraw ings, wherein# Figure l is a side elevation of one form of clutchto which this invention is applied, only part of the driven membersbeing shown, and certain parts being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vsection taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a modilied form of clutch.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of another modified form of clutch towhich this invention is applied.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 6.

In the embodiments herein illustrated this invention involves the use ofa pair of telescoping parts of normally different crosssectional shapes,one of which is resilient and distorted by its assembly with the otherspectively.

part, and both of which parts are respectively connected to certaincoaXially arranged rotatable members, the relative rotation of which isresisted by the resilience of the distorted part.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the improved coupling isapplied to a pair 0f coaxial rotatable members 1 and 2, which, asillustrated, are retained in axial alinement by a pin 3 looselysupported in recesses 4 and 5, respectively, formed in the opposed endsof said members.

The improved coupling comprises a rigid part 6 ofnon-circular crosssection, and a resilient part 7 -of normally circular shape,telescopically arranged and connected to the respective members 1 and 2,which are thereby yieldingly clutched together so as to be capable ofrelative rotation only when the coupling is subjected to its maximumload. The resilient part 7 is distorted so as to fit around the part 6.In the form shown, the part 6 is integral with the member 1, and forms ahub which is oblong in cross section. The resilient annular element 7forms a sleeve which embraces the rigid hub part 6 and bears betweenenlargements S and 9 formed on the members 1 and 2, re-

The resilient sleeve 7 is of slightly greater cross sectional area thanthe hub 6, so as to provide spaces 10 between the telescoping parts fora film of oil. Formed on one end of the resilient element 7, is aplurality of projections or lugs 11, which form clutch teeth forengaging radially disposed slots 12 formed in the opposed end of themember 2, whereby said member and element are positively clutchedtogether so as to rotate as a unit. The relative arrangement of the lugs11 and slots 12 permits a limited radial movement of the sleeve 7relative to the member 2, which is necessary during any relativerotation of the element 7 and rigid part 6, due to the non-circularshape of said part. 5

In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5, the resilient element istelescopically arranged within the rigid non-circular part. Referring toFigures 4 and 5, the improved coupling is applied to coaxial rotatablemembers 13 and 14 having enlarged hub parts 15 and 16, respectively, onwhich is hub 16 of the rotatable member 14. The

, They are preferably of slightly differentY slots 22 permit theresilient part 19 to move radially relative to the member Y14 during anyrelative rotation of the two members 13 and 14.Y

In the construction shown in Figures 6 and 7 the invention is applied toa pair of coaxial, rotatable, hollow shafts 23 and 24 having their innerends 25 and 26 telescopically arranged. The ends 25 and 26 are suitablytreated: to malte them resilient, while the other portions of tlreshafts 23 and 24 are of rigid construction. The ends 25 and 26 are ofdifferent cross sectional areas so that one or both of said ends must bedistorted to fit them in telescopic relation.

cross sectional areas so as to provide an oil space 27 between them.

In the operation of the couplings shown in Figures 1 to 5,inclusive,rthe two shafts are yieldingly secured against relativerotation by the resilience of the distorted element Ywhich coacts withthe non-circular rigid part. When the maximum load of the coupling isreached, the rigid telescoping part will change the relative distortionof the resilient element, thereby permitting relative rotation ofthe twoshafts which is constantly resisted by the resilience of said element. Y

In the construction shown in Figures 6 and 7, relative rotation of thetwo shafts is yieldingly resisted by the resilience of both parts 25 and26, which resistance is. overcome to permit relative rotation of saidshafts when the coupling is subjected to its maximum load.

Although but certain specific embodiments of this invention have beenherein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous detailsof the constructions shown may be altered or omitted without departingfrom the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

l claim:

1. A device of the class described coinrising a pair of coaxialrotatable members iaving telescoping parts of normally different crosssectional shapes, one of said parts being of noncircular cross section,the other of said parts being resilient and distorted to conform to saidnon-circular part having telescoping parts of normally different crosssectional shapes, one of said parts being of oblong cross section, theother of saidrparts being resilient and distorted to conform to saidoblong part whereby said members are normally secured against relativerotation by the resilience of said distorted part.V

4. AY deviceV of the class described comprising a pair of members havingtelescoping parts ofznormally different cross sectional shapes, one ofsaid parts being rigid and 0f oblong cross section, the other of saidparts being resilient and distorted to conform to said rigid partwhereby said members are normally secured against relative rotation bythe resilience ofY said distorted part.YY Y

5VA device of the class described comprising a pair of coaxial rotatablemembers having telescoping parts, one of'said-parts being rigid and ofnon-circular cross section, the other of said parts being resilient andnormally of circular cross section, said resilient part being distortedto conform to said rigid part whereby said members are normally securedagainst relative rotation by the resilicnce'of said distorted part.

6. The combination 'with a pair of coaxial rotatable members, of aresilient element telescopically arranged with respect to a part ofonefof said members and having interlocking engagement with the other ofsaid members, said part being rigid and of non-circular cross section,said resilient element being normally of circular cross section auddistorted to conform to said rigid part whereby said members areyicldingl), secured against relative rotation by the resilience of saiddistorted element.

7. The combination with a pair of coaxial rotatable members, ofa'resilient annular element telescopically arranged with respect to apart of one of said members, said element and the other of said membershaving interlocking portions arranged to secure said element and othermember against relative rotation while permitting a limited radialmovement of said element relative to said other member, said part beingrigid and f non-circular cross section, said resilient partsfbeing rigidand of non-circularcross 10 e ement being normally circular anddissection, the other of said parts being resiltorted to conform to saidrigid part whereby ient to conform to said non-circular part saidmembers are yieldingly secured against whereby said members are normallysecured 5 relative rotation. against relative rotation by the resilienceof 8. A device of the class described comsaid conforming part. l5prising a pair of coaxial rotatable members Signed at Syracuse this 18thday of Sept. having telescoping parts of normally dif- 1923. ferentcross sectional shapes, one of said IRVING C. WOODWARD,

